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AVATAR:Discover Pandora is a new, interactive exhibition inspired by the extraordinary creatures, breathtaking environments and inspirational cultures of James Cameron’s AVATAR.

The Pandoran Research Foundation is proud to present this exhibition of some of the most astounding and fascinating aspects of the alien moon Pandora. The artifacts and specimens presented here, curated by scientists from the RDA’s Avatar program, left Pandora more than six years ago to make the long journey to Earth. Now you can experience these unique discoveries for yourself and gain thought-provoking insights into the many ways in which Pandora reflects our own planet.

In this new 12,000-square-foot entertainment and educational experience, visitors will leave the 21st century behind and step into a 22nd century world filled with science and wonder.

Native Americans and other water protectors being attacked by militarized law enforcement.

“This is how it’s done. When people are sitting on shit you want, you make them your enemy. Then you’re justified in taking it.” – Jake Sully (Avatar)

The leader of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe called on President Barack Obama to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline today, after a clash last night that protest organizers say left 17 people hospitalized and scores more injured after law enforcement unleashed water, rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators in below-freezing temperatures near Cannon Ball, North Dakota.

“The easement to build the unsafe Dakota Access Pipeline has not been granted. But under the cover of darkness, North Dakota law enforcement continues to engage in unlawful and dehumanizing tactics to subdue peaceful water protectors with tear gas and water cannons,” Dave Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said in a statement today. “Live video footage on Facebook this Sunday night (Nov. 20) clearly document that North Dakota’s law enforcement and government officials have sanctioned aggressive acts in failed attempts to disperse water protectors who have the right to demonstrate against and report on this failing project. It’s time for President Obama to condemn these tactics and this pipeline.

“Our culture, our children and our homelands have repeatedly been stolen from us,” Archambault added. “We are deeply saddened that despite the millions of Americans and allies around the world who are standing with us at Standing Rock, a single corporate bully — backed by U.S. government taxpayer dollars through a militarized law enforcement — continue[s] to be sanctioned by aggressive, unlawful acts. President Obama, this cannot be your legacy.”

The clash on Sunday took place after demonstrators gathered on the Backwater Bridge, north of a protest camp in Morton County, according to authorities. About 400 people attempted to breach a law enforcement blockade on the bridge to go north on Highway 1806. The Morton County Sheriff’s Department described it as a “riot.”

The standoff at the bridge comes after months of tension between law enforcement and demonstrators who are pushing to block construction of the four-state Dakota Access Pipeline, which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe says threatens its water supply and traverses sacred sites. The company building the pipeline has argued that these claims are unfounded.

The interactive exhibit “Avatar: Discover Pandora” will launch on Dec. 7 in Taipei, Taiwan — about two years before the first of four James Cameron sequels arrives in theaters.

The announcement was made Monday by global events provider GES, along with Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

GES is partnering with Beast Kingdom to bring “Avatar: Discover Pandora” to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s Xinyi Place for a three-month showcase. The exhibit offers a series of immersive environments that highlight Pandora’s diverse flora and fauna, exotic wildlife, and the culture and mythology of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.

GES, in collaboration with Lightstorm and Fox, will tour the exhibit to additional global markets after Taiwan.

Kathy Franklin, Lightstorm’s president of franchise development, said, “Our fans around the world often tell us that they wish they could travel to Pandora, and this touring exhibition gives us a unique opportunity to bring the wonders of Pandora to them. This exhibition has something for everyone, from fans of the film who want to experience Pandora in a brand-new way as they await our four theatrical film sequels, to families looking for an exciting activity, or to school groups wanting to explore science through an inspiring lens.”

As most of us are patiently twiddling our thumbs waiting for Disney to open its Star Wars lands, James Cameron’s Avatar is going to beat it into the parks. Pandora: The World of Avatar will open in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida and Io9 can exclusively reveal that Cameron himself, along with his producer Jon Landau and Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, will be on hand at the upcoming D23 Destination D event in November to reveal brand new details about the 12-acre immersive theme park section.

Even though AvatarMeet 2016 has barely wound down, plans are already underway for next year’s meetup in Florida. Disney is creating Pandora right here on ‘Rrta (Earth) at their Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando. The opening date for ‘Pandora’ hasn’t yet been announced, so the dates and agenda for the 2017 AvatarMeet have not been set. One thing that is almost certain is this will be one of the more expensive meets. Again, more details will be shared as plans progress. So start saving up for AvatarMeet 2017 now!